Nothing was easy for La Puente and quarterback Ivan Vasquez against Alhambra.---Photo by Andrew Butter (www.peanutbuttersports.smugmug.com)
By Alex Gonzalez
(La Puente)- With less than 30 seconds left in fourth and La Puente looking to score, Alhambra’s defense stopped La Puente from coming back Friday night at La Puente High school.
With 3:23 left in the fourth the Warriors (9-2, 6-1) needed just one more score to overcome a 20-point deficit that the Moors (9-2, 4-1) built in the first half. The drive started on LP’s 27-yard line.
Down 20-14. LP running back Nick Barrientos sarted the drive with a six yard run. After back-to-back pass plays that went for 47, and 27, the Warriors were at the Moors five.
Three straight running plays [all by Barrientos] advanced the ball to the two. On the crucial fourth down and two, LP decided to play action Barrientos and throw the dump pass to tight end Brandon Rios.
However three Alhambra linebackers were right there to swat the ball down, killing the Warriors hope for a win.
Said La Puente HC Brandon Rohrer, “We just couldn’t get it done.”
Alhambra started out fast in the first half, scoring all 20 points before intermission. Running back Ezra Broadus did the scoring for the Moor’s.
The Warriors defense could not find a way to stop Ezra, thanks to the blocking Ezra was able to carry the ball for big gains. He had 22 carries out of Alhambra’s 26 plays in the first half. He finished with 124 yards.
Ezra started to cramp in the second half, forcing HC Lou Torres to pass the ball and use others in the backfield.
Alhambra’s defense was not cramping however, they forced two fumbles.
“We basically played a half of football, I’m happy for the win,” said Torres “It’s an ugly win, and we play Covina next week. If we want to beat them we have to play four quarters.”
Alhambra moves on the second round and will face Covina at home next Friday. La Puente’s finishes one of its most successful seasons in school history, 9-2.
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